0-60 head-to-head · Sourced figures
Is the Honda Civic Type R faster than a Volkswagen Golf R?
No. The 2022 Golf R is quicker, hitting 60 mph in 4.1 s vs 5.2 s for the 2023 Civic Type R (both tested by MotorWeek), and it's quicker through the quarter mile too (12.5 s vs 13.8 s).
By CarWhere Research · Figures checked 2026-11-14 · Every number links to its source · How we compare
Civic Type R 0-60
5.2 s
tested by MotorWeek
Golf R 0-60
4.1 s
tested by MotorWeek
Civic Type R power
315 hp
FWD
Golf R power
315 hp
AWD
Civic Type R vs Golf R: specs side by side
Manufacturer figures first; a named instrumented test only where the automaker publishes none (or as context). Bracketed numbers link to the source.
| 2023 Honda Civic Type R | 2022 Volkswagen Golf R | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years | 2023–present | 2022–present |
| Figures quoted for | 2023 model year | 2022 model year |
| Powertrain | 2.0L turbocharged inline-4, 6-speed manual | 2.0L turbocharged inline-4, 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG |
| Drive | FWD | AWD |
| Body | hatchback | hatchback |
| Horsepower | 315 hp[1]@ 6,500 rpm, SAE net | 315 hp[2] |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft[1]page footnote gives 2,500-4,500 rpm | 295 lb-ft[2]DSG; 280 lb-ft with the manual |
| Curb weight | 3,188 lb[1] | — |
| Pounds per hp | 10.1 | — |
| 0-60 mph (manufacturer) | Not published | Not published |
| 0-60 mph (instrumented test) | 5.2 s[3]tested by MotorWeek · 2023 Civic Type R (FL5), 6-speed manual | 4.1 s[4]tested by MotorWeek · 2022 Golf R (Mk8), 7-speed DSG with launch control |
| Quarter mile | 13.8 s @ 105 mph[3]tested by MotorWeek · 2023 Civic Type R, 6-speed manual | 12.5 s @ 111 mph[4]tested by MotorWeek · 2022 Golf R, 7-speed DSG |
| Top speed | Not published | 155 mph[2]Volkswagen-claimed · electronically limited |
| Launch MSRP | $42,895[5]2023 base MSRP · excl. $1,095 destination | $43,645[2]2022 base MSRP · manual; DSG $44,445; excl. $995 destination |
Which is quicker?
0-60 mph
The Golf R is quicker to 60 mph by 1.1 s: 4.1 s vs 5.2 s (both tested by MotorWeek).
Quarter mile
The Golf R is quicker through the quarter mile: 12.5 s vs 13.8 s (both tested by MotorWeek).
Top speed
A top speed is not published for both cars.
Why
The Golf R drives all four wheels while the Civic Type R is front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive usually helps most off the line, which is why AWD cars often win to 60 mph and give some of it back over longer distances.
Price new and what buyers paid
- Honda Civic Type R: launched at $42,895 (2023 base MSRP). Verified CarWhere buyers of a new Honda Civic (all trims, 79 deals) paid a median 4.4% below MSRP — see the Civic target price.
- Volkswagen Golf R: launched at $43,645 (2022 base MSRP).
Deal medians are model-level discounts from approved, deduplicated CarWhere buyer deal sheets (snapshot 2026-11-08), shown only with 5+ deals. More on what people paid.
How we compare
We compare like with like: two automaker claims when both exist, otherwise two instrumented tests, and we say so when we have to mix them. Where a source lists several configurations, we lead with the quickest one it states (and name it). Acceleration times depend on surface, temperature, tires, fuel and launch technique, so a gap of 0.1 s is within the noise.
No figure here is simulated or estimated. Blank cells mean no automaker figure and no named instrumented test we could cite. Figures are for the model year shown; later updates can change them.
More on these cars
More head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Honda Civic Type R faster than a Volkswagen Golf R?
No — the 2022 Golf R is quicker, hitting 60 mph in 4.1 s vs 5.2 s for the 2023 Civic Type R (both tested by MotorWeek), and it's quicker through the quarter mile too (12.5 s vs 13.8 s).
What is the 0-60 time of the Honda Civic Type R?
5.2 seconds (tested by MotorWeek, 2023 Civic Type R (FL5), 6-speed manual) for the 2023 model year, from 315 hp.
What is the 0-60 time of the Volkswagen Golf R?
4.1 seconds (tested by MotorWeek, 2022 Golf R (Mk8), 7-speed DSG with launch control) for the 2022 model year, from 315 hp.
Which costs more new, the Civic Type R or the Golf R?
At launch, the 2023 Civic Type R started at $42,895 and the 2022 Golf R at $43,645 (base MSRP before destination and options).
Sources
Automaker press releases and spec sheets first; instrumented tests are credited to the publication that ran them.
- 2023 Honda Civic Type R - Specifications & Features — American Honda (hondanews.com), 2022-10-28. Accessed 2026-11-14.
- Automotive World (Volkswagen of America release), “Volkswagen introduces 2022 Golf GTI and Golf R at the Chicago Auto Show (VW of America release reproduced)”, 2021-07-14.
- MotorWeek, “2023 Honda Civic Type R - Road Tests MotorWeek”, 2023-12-06.
- MotorWeek, “2022 Volkswagen Golf R - MotorWeek”, 2022-03-09.
- All-New 2023 Honda Civic Type R – the Ultimate Hot Hatch – Arriving at Dealers — American Honda (hondanews.com), 2022-10-27. Accessed 2026-11-14.